State Unemployment Rate Increases to 3.9 Percent in April

Iowa Workforce Development Communications
For Immediate Release
Date: May 20, 2016
Contact: Courtney Maxwell Greene
Telephone: 515-281-9646
Email:  courtney.greene@iwd.iowa.gov

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Iowa's Unemployment Rate Increases to 3.9 Percent in April

Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.9 percent in April from 3.8 percent in March. The state’s jobless rate was 3.7 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 5.0 percent in April.

“Although Iowa’s unemployment rate ticked up for the third straight month, the good news is that there are over 56,000 jobs posted at iowajobs.org, indicating Iowa’s employers are still in significant need of skilled workers,” said Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend. “While we never like to see the unemployment rate increase, Iowa still maintains a friendly environment for job seekers.” 

The number of unemployed Iowans rose to 66,100 in April from 65,500 in March. The current estimate is 3,800 higher than the year ago level of 62,300.

The total number of working Iowans decreased to 1,647,200 in April. This figure was 2,300 lower than March and 10,200 higher than one year ago.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

In April, Iowa’s nonfarm employment advanced by 4,300, lifting employment to 1,580,800 jobs. The monthly gain is the second consecutive for the state following an unusually large paring in February. Despite increasing concern over an economic downturn, Iowa businesses continue to hire and the state has added jobs in six of the last seven months leading to an increase of 20,000 jobs versus one year ago. Private sector firms increased marginally this month (+2,400). Government added jobs primarily at the local government level (+2,100) and is up 2,000 jobs annually.

Construction added the most jobs this month (+3,300). This increase follows another large increase in March and is not unexpected given the large quantity of institutional and infrastructure projects taking place around the state. The financial sector rebounded from a slight loss last month and added 1,600 jobs. This sector has steadily advanced throughout 2015 and carrying over into 2016. Other sectors adding jobs this month include manufacturing (+1,000), education and health care (+900), and professional and business services (+500). Alternatively, losses were concentrated in trade and transportation (-3,500). Declines were nearly split between both wholesale and retail trade payrolls in April. All other losses were minor this month and included leisure and hospitality (-600) and other services (-600).

Annually, construction continues to hire and has accounted for slightly over half of all job gains in Iowa (+10,600). The state’s continued expansion in construction provides at least some indication of continued optimism firms hold regarding the economic future. Education and health care is second in terms of growth (+5,100) followed by financial activities (+3,800). Losses have been sparse with the exception of manufacturing (-4,200), information (-1,800), and professional and business services (-900).

MEDIA ALERT:  An audio cut of comments about Iowa’s labor market situation is available by calling (515) 281-6057. Statewide data for May will be released on Friday, June 17, 2016. Local data for May will be posted to the IWD website on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

Employment and Unemployment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
           
        Change from
  April March April March April
  2016 2016 2015 2016 2015
           
Civilian labor force 1,713,300 1,714,900 1,699,200 -1,600 14,100
Unemployment 66,100 65,500 62,300 600 3,800
Unemployment rate 3.9% 3.8% 3.7% 0.1 0.2
Employment 1,647,200 1,649,500 1,637,000 -2,300 10,200
           
U.S. unemployment rate 5.0% 5.0% 5.4% 0.0 -0.4
           
Nonfarm Employment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
           
Total Nonfarm Employment 1,580,800 1,576,500 1,560,800 4,300 20,000
Mining 2,200 2,300 2,300 -100 -100
Construction 89,400 86,100 78,800 3,300 10,600
Manufacturing 212,400 211,400 216,600 1,000 -4,200
Trade, transportation and utilities 316,100 319,600 315,800 -3,500 300
Information 23,300 23,400 25,100 -100 -1,800
Financial activities 109,100 107,500 105,300 1,600 3,800
Professional and business           
    services 138,000 137,500 138,900 500 -900
Education and health services 229,400 228,500 224,300 900 5,100
Leisure and hospitality 141,600 142,200 139,100 -600 2,500
Other services 62,100 62,700 59,400 -600 2,700
Government 257,200 255,300 255,200 1,900 2,000
(above data subject to revision)

 

Unemployment Insurance Claims for Iowa
           
        % Change from
  April March April March April
  2016 2016 2015 2016 2015
           
Initial claims 10,082 11,227 9,683 -10.2% 4.1%
Continued claims          
     Number of claimants 29,149 40,789 31,464 -28.5% -7.4%
     Weeks paid 85,625 148,902 102,012 -42.5% -16.1%
     Amount paid $30,832,382 $54,696,526 $35,430,672 -43.6% -13.0%

 

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